Thousands search for Souperstar’ at Schenectady Soup Stroll

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The 8th Annual Schenectady Soup Stroll returned with over 30 restaurants competing to be voted the Souperstar of the area. Linda Poole drove from Long Island to try the soup at Simone’s Kitchen.

“I came all the way from Long Island to taste this delicious soup,” Poole said. “This place, Simone’s, won last year, and I loved their tomato soup. This is my first soup of the day -the cauliflower… It is so good.”

Amy Sonder, Promotions Manager for Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation, said last year, over 6,000 people showed up to vote for their favorite, and organizers are sure they will beat that record this year.

“We’re blown away by the turnout last year,” Sonder said. “With more than 30 restaurants and only a dollar a sample…It brings in people from all over the Capital Region and outside the state.”

Kirsten Smith is from Ballston Spa; this was her first time attending the stroll.

“I am really interested to try the chicken and dumpling soups,” she said. “There’s a lot of spicy ones that aren’t my thing, so I’ll probably skip those.”

But whether you like spicy, mild, sweet…or anything in between… the options feel endless. Denise Legasse has been going on the stroll with her family and friends for over five years… and looks forward to trying out all the unique blends.

“We aren’t picky,” she said. “Every place here is great; we never had a bad time. Great experience.”

Chelsea Heilmann, Owner of UnBEETAble and Take Two Cafe in Schenectady, shared two unique soups for the stroll. The first was a traditional borscht soup made with beets and other veggies, and then the second one was a vegetarian vindaloo chili.

“Yes, this is my day, and that’s my night, so we’re super excited to do two different soups for the soup stroll today,” Heilmann said.

Restaurant owners like Mitchell Ramsey at Electric Grinch are happy for the extra business., especially when business is usually slow.

“Just being at the end of January, for one of the highest selling days of the year… It really helps us get through the slower times of the season,” he said.

For last year’s winners, Simone’s Kitchen, the owner, Bashir Chedrawee, said the event gives a chance for the entire city to be recognized.

“It’s a competition, but it’s about being together and doing something that promotes this wonderful area. They do this for the Soup Stroll, The Wing Walk, and now The Tater Trot, and I think it’s just a good thing for Schenectady.”